Letters

  "Devils of Loudon" by Aldous Huxley is a complicated book, and written on a highly intellectual level. It probably has to be read several times to understand. Some notion and appreciation of Aldous Huxley's view on spirituality and religion also enrich the reading experience. It is not a book for everyone, and a frequent complaint is that there are too many digressions from the riveting plot to Huxley's philosophical asides. If one is willing to put in the time and effort this is truly a "great book."  The prose style is insidious and elegant. Reading DOL from beginning to end is the equivalent , in terms of processed knowledge, of earning an MA in French 17th-century history.  This is not just a book about a demonic possession, it is also a statement of philosophy, politics, propaganda, psychological theory, and a critique of the habit of religious persecution into varied non-secular domains.. The plot and descriptions, as well as Aldous Huxley's inev...

A lesser-known or lesser-discussed diagnosis is Aggressive-Sadistic Personality Disorder. This diagnosis helps conceptualize certain personalities with distinct features that don't fit neatly into other descriptions. Often, these individuals are mistaken for having narcissistic or antisocial personalities. Theodore Millon's conceptualization of Aggressive-Sadistic Personality is rooted in older ideas of sadism and masochism. Once explained, the features of this personality are easily recognized, especially by those who have lived with such individuals, as they are toxic both in the short term and particularly over time. The diagnosis of Aggressive-Sadistic Personality is not currently included in the DSM psychiatric nomenclature. It was included at one time but later removed, much to the dismay of prominent psychologists. One reason for its removal was to prevent it from being used to justify bad behavior. While it falls under the broad category of personality disorders, it rem...